Update: Medicaid framework bill sent to committee

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Framework legislation that sets up Arkansas' plan to use federal Medicaid funds to purchase private insurance for low-income residents has been pulled from the governor's desk and sent back to a Senate committee.

The Senate pulled the legislation Wednesday and sent it to its Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee for consideration of an amendment. The committee planned to meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday to consider the amendment.

That legislation is separate from a budget bill that would pay for the plan. That appropriation narrowly passed the House on Tuesday and a vote is pending in the Senate.

The proposal calls for Arkansas to accept money intended for Medicaid expansion under the federal health care law and instead use it to subsidize private insurance for the 250,000 eligible low-income residents.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)